Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-11-25

that he and Miss Weldon were engaged.
OF course Alice knew nothing about
1t from Kate, for their intimacy nat
urally waned, and she MS completely
lost trying to understand her of late,
so trivial and hcartless had tho poor
girl become. Were her strange actions
but cover to heart still loyal and
true to her brothcrP At first Alice had
thought so, but rs time wore on she
grew doubtful, for Kate seemed to be
growing fond of Mr.. Arlandt.
Mr.. A Was quite prcposscssing
young mana stranger, and the head
of department in large dry-goods
firm in the city. "Hc is finer looking,
and little moro easy and graceful
than brother" Alice secretly acknowl-
edged, "but l don't believe he is as
good"
Will Garth had devoted himself most
diligently to business of late, but the
week following the opening of our
story he was expecting to 60 to dis
tant city. II can't stand it any longer
here" he said to his sister. ~ must
see If new surroundings will not help
me to forget"
Alice was wishing and praying with
all her heurt that something would hap
pen to right matters and keep her dear
| brother home, but there seemed no
prospect, and the matter was weighing
upon her mind SO heavily that upon
the day in question she had forced her.
self to take holiday, calling upon her
West End friends.
AS Alice now closely followed and
carefully scrutinized the gentleman,
she suspected she was certain, so far rs
back view could identify him, that it
was Mr. Arlandt. The electric lights
were SO clear and penetrating that,
could she get but one glance at his
face, she would be positive. There
must be no shadow of doubt.
But how do thisp She might hasten
ahead and then turn suddenly around
as though she had forgotten some-
thing; but an innate delicacy forbade
such bold, nor to say doubtful, ex-
pertinent.
Fortunately for her, just at this mo-
ment, the gentleman met friend,
and wheeling, both arm in arm, came
towards her.
1t was Mr.. Arlandt.
And as if to doubly assure her, the
friend spoke his name. Hello, Ar
landt," he said; going to have good
time tonight, or to see your grip"
was the rather dubious inquiry.
Cant go too often or she would
go back on me-" was the reply.
PLENTY of money, ehP"
"Plenty."
"Well, then. advise you to walk
pretty straight, or you'll get left, was
the wholesome monition; II hope you
don't go there in this condition. old
fellow; and as Alice caught their
breath in passing and glanced at their
glazed eyes, she fully understood what
the condition" was.
No, indeed; / don't indulge only on
off nights was the response, land
not very much then. Came near losing
my place once on account of it. and
since then been little careful but,
you see," with n burst of confidence.
doubtless due TO his intoxicated state,
~ proposed to Miss Weldon last night, |
and Tn so deuced afraid she'll mitten
me, I'm taking little to brace up.
OF course, she isn't the only one I've
got in tow. but she's got the most cash,
and if she accepts me L IL let the other
flicker; I'll doubtless know tomorrow
night"
As soon as the gentleman Gf this is
not misnomeo had passed. Alice
turned quickly and followed them
again, closely enough to overhear their
conversation. She was shocked and |
chilled. Could it be possible that her
dear friend, Kate, was receiving the |
attentions of such fellow-a gambler,
drunkard, and quite probably a liber-
tinep-and that crisis between them
was so imminentp The thought almost
stunned her!
A few steps further the two chums
entered one of the numerous gambling
parlors on the street. and her detective |
work could be carried no further. She
now, for the first time, had an almost
benumbing sense of its risky and per- ,
ilous nature-on such street, unat-
tended and following two such charac-
tersl-and she shivered and blanched
with fright rs she quickly hailed
home-going car.
1t would be difficult to portray Alice
Garth's state of mind rs she tried to
make herself realize what she had seen
and heard. Sometimes it seemed as
though she must have dreamed it all
it was so startling. But before she had
finished the ride, she was in more
rational frame of mind. She knew
there was no mistake about the matter,
however terrible it appeared, and she